Need advice on spot buffing pads for DA

**jdoublehcubed** · 03-23-2014, 01:23 PM

Hey everyone

I'm trying to pick out some spot buffing pads for my DA buffer. One of the two cars I detail is my girlfriends Mini Cooper, which has a lot of very narrow, curved painted areas that won't fit a 5 inch pad.

I'm wondering which spot buff pads are the best choice. I see that autogeek has this kit, which looks like a pretty good kit, but it comes with 4" pads. And the backing plate is 2 3/4".
CCS Spot Buffs 4 Inch Foam Pad Kit

I'm thinking that I'd rather go with a smaller pad, but at the same time I'm thinking that maybe there's a good reason why autogeek sells a 4" kit rather than a 3" kit.

Can anyone give me some advice on choosing spot buffing pads for this application?

**swanicyouth** · 03-23-2014, 02:12 PM

For me, I get much more use out of 3" pads than 4" pads. But, if your getting 4" pads, you should get a 3.5" BP - not a 2 & 7/8" BP. The later will work - just not as good.

My 2 favorite 4" pads are the Rupes pads and CG self centering pads. For 3" pads your sort of stuck with LC HT pads. Get the low profile ones. The Griots 3" polishing pad is good, but the wax pad is too soft to use on a regular DA.

3M makes 3" pads - I can't comment.

**Kacz** · 03-23-2014, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by swanicyouth

For me, I get much more use out of 3" pads than 4" pads. But, if your getting 4" pads, you should get a 3.5" BP - not a 2 & 7/8" BP. The later will work - just not as good.

My 2 favorite 4" pads are the Rupes pads and CG self centering pads.For 3" pads your sort of stuck with LC HT pads. Get the low profile ones. The Griots 3" polishing pad is good, but the wax pad is too soft to use on a regular DA.

3M makes 3" pads - I can't comment.

I completely agree because I have both backing plates and both size pads.

On another website I have seen that LC has new 3" CCS pads; I may consider buying some soon to try. I've never seen them before. The Hyrdo Tech pads are terrible and the Griots Garage polishing pad is better, but you can be limited with it.

OP, I've had great luck with 4in Buff and Shine pads and Meguiar's makes 3in microfiber pads.

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 03-23-2014, 03:02 PM

Another vote for the smaller 3" pads. These allow you to get into tighter spaces than a 4" would allow.

**jdoublehcubed** · 03-23-2014, 10:00 PM

Seems like everyone is agreed that 3" pads are the way to go.

With the 3" pads, do you use the 2 7/8" backing plate? 1/8" doesn't sound like a lot of safety margin. And i don't think autogeek has a smaller backing plate than that.

I'll take another look through the pad selection and see what I can find in 3".

**jdoublehcubed** · 03-28-2014, 09:22 AM

bump.

anyone have any recommendations for 3" pads? any options besides LC HT?

**Scubadaddy** · 03-29-2014, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

bump.

anyone have any recommendations for 3" pads? any options besides LC HT?

Same question. Ideally 3 in spot buff colors.

**jdoublehcubed** · 04-05-2014, 06:02 PM

bump.

really, no one knows the answer to this?

**dfoxengr** · 04-05-2014, 07:40 PM

LC 3.25" orange ccs 5 pack on amazon

**jdoublehcubed** · 04-05-2014, 09:38 PM

Here's the solution, to anyone looking for 3" pads:
Lake Country 3" CCS Pad Kit

I don't understand why Autogeek won't sell these. They seem to sell everything else Lake Country makes.

Autogeek people, I'll hold off 4 or 5 days before placing my order at that other site. If you can get these, please let me know and I'll buy them here instead. And I think a lot of other people would like to buy them as well. The 4" option is just not a big enough difference from a 6" pad to make it worth the time.